Malaysia's IHH Healthcare gets creative

Asia’s largest hospital operator has been improvising to maximise its capital structure as both banks and investors warm up to the sector.

The healthcare industry rarely needs to load up on debt due to its cash-generative nature. IHH Healthcare, Asia’s largest hospital operator, is nonetheless getting creative to get the most out of its capital structure.

This includes looking into renting its facilities instead of building them from scratch, as well as looking to structure potential real estate investment trusts, or Reits, to free up more cash to plough back into its business, Ahmad Shahizam, CEO...